I thought it would be a really good idea. I got caught up in the moment and I was weak with excitement. There was so much promise, so much hope…and then I started training for two huge events that are separated by two weeks! What did you think I was talking about?
I don’t know what the hell I was thinking but somehow I’ve ended up with a half-marathon (13.1 miles) in CT on Oct 12 and the Duathlon National Championship (3 mile run/23 mile bike/3 mile run) on Oct 26… in Tucson, AZ!
Throughout the summer I kept thinking I had all this time. I was doing my usual running regimen for all the races leading up to the half in October. I teach two spin classes a week so at least I was getting in some form of biking. I realize that spin bikes are to cyclists what the treadmill is to runners so I made time twice a week to get on my real bike. I had aero bars put on. These scared the crap out of me and made my bike look like a demonic creature with horns that was hell bent on setting my crotch, legs and ass on fire. Mission accomplished.
Your ass is mine now! Baaaahahahawwwwww!!!!
As if that wasn’t enough, do you know what my idiotic self did then? I started teaching another class – with weights – at yet another gym on yet another week night. Am I trying to self sabotage? Perhaps.
This is what my typical week looks like these days:
Sunday – easy 8 mile run or speed work
Monday – long run 10-12 miles
Tuesday – teach spin class
Wednesday – brick training: road bike 25-30 miles, 3 mile run and then teach evening weight class
Thursday – teach spin class
Friday – either long run (10+ miles) or long bike (20+ miles)
Saturday – REST!
Fresh as a daisy after speed drills. UGH!
I may die…but I will die happy. If my kids and their horrible behavior lately doesn’t kill me then this training is certainly going to put me over the edge. For the most part, I truly enjoy what I’m doing. I absolutely LOVE teaching classes. Running? I love, love, love it. Cycling…eh, I think once this competition is over I’ll be putting up my bike for the winter…and possibly the spring, but I enjoy cycling more then I ever have.
Part of me wants to test my limits and see how much I can do while juggling the kids and all the household crap. Part of me is sobbing quietly in a corner going “how the hell are you going to pull this all off?”
I’m super competitive and no matter how much I tell myself I’m going out to Arizona to “have fun” and just “see what I can do” since this is my first time at Nationals, I know once that gun goes off at the start line, I want to be ready to compete!
I just have to put my head down, keep going and take each event as it comes. Oh, and I’m also taking a quick long weekend trip to Vegas with the hubs and a few other friends. Shouldn’t that be a part of all serious training plans? I’m sure this was a staple in Lance Armstrong’s training regimen. Where else was he getting all those performance enhancing drugs?
What happens in Vegas…?
Guess that didn’t work for you buddy.
Have you ever taken on more then you think you can handle? What was the outcome? Have you ever been to Vegas? Fan or no?
You are amazing! Good luck! I am sure you are going to do really well!
I take on more than I have a right to be handling all the time. Most of the time I manage to pull it off but something always has to give.
Vegas…yes, I have been several times. I always have fun when I’m there, but there are so many other places I want to see. I’d go back with friends, but I wouldn’t plan a trip there with just my husband.
Thanks Michelle! I completely agree about Vegas. It’s fun with friends but that’s about it!
All I can say is GO FOR IT! To be honest, while I know it is a lot and you might start rocking in a corner soon, it really is one of the reasons I made time to start my own training…you have a ‘no excuses’ mentality that really does motivate me! Go for it friend and know I will be cheering you all the way (except while I try to finish the half, as well-you will end way before me!). Go You!
Thanks Shannon! I couldn’t do it without constantly whining to you and having you build me back up!! The half is going to be great…just remember, NO jellybeans!
You are AMAZING!! Seriously, HOW do you do it all?? WOW! So impressive! :)-Ashley
Thanks Ashley. I love it or else I definitely wouldn’t be able to do it. This is the first time I feel as though I bit off a bit too much!!
It seems like I’m always taking on more than I can handle, but I think I thrive on the craziness. I need to be busy! But, whoa mama, that’s a crazy schedule right now. But if anyone can pull it off, you can! I can’t wait to hear about the way you ROCK both races!
Thanks for the vote of confidence. I also like being crazy busy but this time I may have gone too far. Oh well, too late now!
Oh my gosh Allie! Your weekly schedule looks like me after 9 hours of sleep, coffee, water, days of rest and lots of time on my hands. And to be clear, this would be followed by 9 hours of sleep, coffee, water and days of rest. Geesh! You are ferocious! I’m in awe. I think you will do great. I think we perform our best under pressure. I love, love, love cycling. I’m not the best at it but I don’t care. Finally got back on my bike and it felt so good! 🙂
Sleep and coffee are of the utmost importance!! So happy to hear you love biking so much. Too bad we couldn’t ride together!
Do you want cheese with that whine? Buck it up and get it done, girl. I did 30 minutes on the treadmill this morning and you don’t hear me complaining, do you? Geez. ( ;
Thank you Chris!! This is just what I needed. 🙂 YAY for 30 min on the treadmill mama!!
Oh, I can relate! I’ve been much better this cycle at spacing out my races, but I’ve been there. Two weeks between should be okay… at least it’s a half, not a full so you *should* be fully recovered- but it does take some time away from training when you’re resting up a bit before and after the race. Good luck- I know you’ll rock both!
I know you understand this! I’m most worried about getting all my cycling in before I have to ship out my bike. I’m sure it will all be fine but in the meantime I’m running around (literally) like a crazy person. Thanks Laura. I love reading about your marathon training – it’s inspiring!!!
You’ve got this – you are super strong!!!
Yes, I’ve taken on more than I can handle and lately have been treading water at best!!!
Have fun in Vegas – I love it there – craps is my favorite!!!
I know you’ve been taking on a lot lately too. Maybe I should ask someone for HELP!!
If I had any clue how to play craps, I would do it for you:-)
Girl good luck! LOL at the bike looking like a demon. If there is anybody that can do this…you can!! I can’t wait to hear the recaps. Your trains program looks intensely appropriate. I always bite off way more than I can chew. All the time. But you know deep down that you can rock this so don’t be nervous!!
Thank you so much!!! These last few weeks of training, coupled with the mini-vacation has me a little nervous. All I can do is the best I can do, right?? Thanks again!!!
Ha, ha–that is a full plate, for sure! I have tried to simultaneously train for tris and marathons at the same time and found it really tough. Usually, one or the other has to suffer a bit in favor of the other. Good luck pulling it all off!
Haven’t been to Vegas in at least 20 yrs and I KNOW it has changed a lot–I think for the better, though!
I’m glad it’s not just me! At least I know to never do this again!!
Vegas changes every minute, so it’s a safe bet that in 20 years it has completely transformed! I’m looking forward to laying by the pool:-)
You totally got this Allie! Besides, with delts and traps like yours…wow is all I can say. lol. You like a challenge and I think you like overcoming them even more. Good luck!
This is true! Thanks a lot Hope:-)
Holy cow! Vegas sounds fun. I have been there a few times because my brother lives there. It’s fun but I cannot imagine living there, especially in the summer! I love all this greenery and foliage so much!
I often do more than I can handle. This week is a little better but I have to edit a few jobs. I can’t imagine being a wedding photographer with kids. I suppose that’s what assistants are for!
I think most moms take on more then they can handle because we’re part super hero!
I’m definitely excited for Vegas. I don’t gamble but I love seeing the sights, eating the food and sitting by the pool!
Yup, definitely sounds like you’ll be busy. But sometimes I think I do better that way. You don’t have time to focus on HOLY CRAP I’m doing all of this! Good luck and have fun in Vegas. Last time I went there with my mom, grandma, aunt and cousin. I think my 84 year old grandma partied harder than all of us!
You grandma sounds awesome!!
I hope you’re right because I’m kinda starting to freak a little bit, but what can I do now except train!
Thank you:-)
Love love love your passion. Unreal! My mind spins when I read all that you are doing – so I guess I could call it a spinning class? lol
Definitely counts as spinning!
Thank you so much. I’m doing my best…
You just make me tired! There is now way I’d be able to do this now much less with two small boys. Amazing!
I take on too much all the time. I actually get sited for it in my work reviews but I can’t help it. It’s just my nature.
Never been to Vegas.
I think women in general take on too much. Why is that? Maybe we’re all part superhero? You keep doing what you’re doing…as long as it doesn’t cause you too much stress!
You need to go to Vegas at least once in your life. It’s like Disney World for adults.
My goodness Allie that is a full plate! And yes, I do tend to take too many things on at the same time. My husband constantly points this out to me as the source of the stress in my life but I also like being busy and having a lot of things going on. Catch 22 I guess. You’re going to do great. I went to Vegas last year for 36 hours I think for a girls weekend and to see Bon Jovi. 🙂
It IS a catch 22 and my husband likes to point this out to me as well. It’s in my nature. I’m also looking forward to many REST days in November.
36 hours is just enough time in Vegas. I LOVE Bon Jovi!! I hope you had a great time:-)
Alright, so I had a feeling about this before, but you just confirmed my suspicions- you are SUPERWOMAN!! im sorry, you cant hide it anymore, its out there now 🙂 i have no doubt you’ll rise to meet these challenges!! when i bite off more than i can chew i usually wind up in the fetal position with chocolate all over my face, but thats just me 🙂 oh and also- yay vegas!!
Hahahahaha!! Thanks Charlotte. Halloween IS coming up so I guess I don’t need a costume:-)
Chocolate sounds really good to me right now. I’ve earned it!
There is one thing I am sure of – if anyone can do it…YOU CAN! You are such a bad ass I just know you are going to kick both of these races butts!
I’m in Vegas all the time for work. I actually like it minus the creepy dudes. Have fun!
There are some seriously creepy dudes there! I will try to steer clear.
Thanks for the confidence boost. I’m going to need every ounce I can muster!!
OMG you are a CRAZY woman!! Ha Ha! I give you so much credit, that’s definitely A LOT but I know that you’re going to be able to kick each of these race’s booty’s NO PROBLEM – You seem super in shape and your mind set is on track! I cannot wait to read your posts when these races are over.. Because I have a feeling you will be planning a MARATHON and then a TRI ATHLON after that! HA HA. 🙂
Oh and right now I HAVE DEFINITELY BITTEN OFF FAR MORE than I can chew, but I AM GOING TO TRY AND CHEW AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE! 😉 We can do this together!
Thanks for your support GiGi!! Together we can do anything!!
With working full time and juggling family, I seem to always take on more that what I can handle. Typically it’s in the form of “multitasking” which usually ends with me dropping at least one the balls that I have in the air. I think it’s in our nature that we do this. Apparently, I haven’t learned a thing from it because I do it again and again.
I never learn either! It’s definitely in a woman’s nature to take on more then she can handle and this time is a doozie for me! Thanks for reading:-)
Even though I already commented (with a tease), after reading all the other comments, this post reminds me of the day you told me you were pregnant with twins. I can say now exactly what I said then when hearing the news, “I’m not surprised…you are such an over achiever!! ” LOL I admire you.
So true! I still have the picture you gave me of the twin babies doing planks:-) I make them do those daily now – ha ha!!!
HA! You might be laughing but deep down, I know it’s true…poor babies…LOL
There is nothing “poor” about them!! Did you read my post about “Living On the Edge?” They are insane!! Of course, I probably made them that way!